Speeches About MS: What Would You Want to Hear?

Of the many, many things that the Life With MS Blog has become, it is an open venue of back-and-forth, give-and-take. Begging an indulgence, I’m going to ask that you give so that I can take and then give back again.

I am in the process of editing what is sometimes called a “speaker’s resume video.” It’s a short collage of snippets from addresses I’ve given over the past few years. I have been asked — with increasing frequency — to speak at events and many event organizers have asked for samples of my “work.” Most of these events are multiple sclerosis-related, so it’s pretty easy to cobble together a story on the fly.

A 20-60 minute speech, however, calls for some planning (some).

I’ve sat riveted by a number of speakers on the topic of MS. I’m sure you have as well. At least as often, however, I’ve sat through such addresses wondering where the point lay, if the speaker knew, or if there were even a point at all.

It is customary to ask the body organizing the event what they might like me to speak about or, and more to the point, what the audience would want to hear. It occurred to me that our blog community is a much better place to ask the question.

I’ve heard enough “poor me” speeches about MS and other conditions. Contrarily, I have also been had so much sunshine and rainbows blown up my kilt by some speakers that I wonder if I’m supposed to be happy and feel privileged to have this stupid disease. There must, I figure, be a place in between where a good and compelling story can be told without purposefully tugging on heart strings or skipping across the stage in pigtails.

Another reason I felt this a good place is that you are much of the reason I’m asked to speak in the first place. The attention you afford this community has made us a focal point for many seeking information about MS. Your stories are as much a part of my life with MS as my own. I figured you might have a few shareable anecdotes (comic and tragic) in your years with multiple sclerosis as well.

Another factor to consider is the others in these audiences. Many times our family and friends attend, and I don’t want to even think about the number of times I’ve heard someone in the crowd say, “See, she can climb mountains with her MS. You must be lazy,” or something similar at an MS gathering.

What would you like your friends/family to hear were they to attend an event with a speaker about MS?

You know that I ask these questions because I value our group experience and see us all as experts at living with MS. This is part of that life as well, and I see good reason to ask you what you think.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Trevis Gleason

Trevis L. Gleason is a food journalist and published author, an award-winning chef and culinary instructor who has taught at institutions such as Cornell University, New England Culinary Institute and...read more